The Joy Challenge: Monday 7th April 2014

"The gospel offers an understanding of the human situation which makes it possible to be filled with a hope which is both eager and patient even in the most hopeless situations." (Newbiggin) Hallelujah. Thank you, Lord, for joyful hope (Romans 12:12), for eternal optimism, for the absurdity of believing that a crucified man is the one who has authority over all (Colossians 2:15), for knowing that as it is, as it was, is not as it always will be, for trusting in the God of the impossible, the unthinkable, the un-askable, the not even dream-able. (Ephesians 3:20) Oh God, so fill us up with hope today that we overflow with it (Romans 15:13), that it escapes from us and is lavished upon those lives that cannot see how things can be any different. We are those who hope relentlessly, foolishly, laughably, persisting in the face of all things to the contrary. We are those who know that Good Friday is not the end but wait, with confidence, for sunrise on Easter morning. Hope will not disappoint us. (Romans 5:5)